Growing up in Grey-Bruce, I always thought that living in the city would be so much more exciting. After all, the city always seems to have an event coming up and the shopping malls have so many stores that you couldn’t possibly see them all in one visit. However, the appeal of city life seemed to lose its hold on me once I actually moved there for university. I missed going to the grocery store and always seeing someone I knew, and being able to take a 5 minute drive and be walking on my favorite trail or kayaking at the beach.

I was lucky enough to get matched with a co-op term at Bruce Village Chiropractic; a workplace that is close to home and in a community that feels as special as my hometown. I grew up taking day trips around Bruce County to find the best places to have fun, and was an avid Explore the Bruce participant (I have an entire section in my pajama drawer dedicated to the free T-Shirts). Because of this, I feel qualified to share with you some of my favorite places to get moving in Bruce County. After all, I’m a strong believer that movement should bring you joy and excitement. To me, nothing is better than movement accompanied by gorgeous views, waves crashing on the shore, and local flora and fauna. Bruce County is home to many locations that are waiting to be explored.

1) North Shore Trail

Tune up your bikes and lace up your shoes. This gorgeous 6 km paved trail connects Port Elgin and Southampton, and is the perfect place to enjoy a family excursion. You’ll find this trail occupied by people using many varieties of transportation; biking, roller blading, walking, running, and even strollers. The experience is made better by breathtaking views of the shore, and even better views of the sunset. Various lookout points make for the perfect opportunity to take some photos you’ll look back on fondly. For anyone who isn’t quite confident in making a trek this long, rest assured that there are many benches to allow for breaks whenever you might need one. If you haven’t already had the chance to take a bike along this trail, I highly recommend you make the journey.

2) Saugeen River

Paddles up - or down! The Saugeen River features 102km of serene waters and is the perfect place for a relaxing adventure. Known for its easy paddling and some of the best fishing in Southwestern Ontario, you’ll be sure to find a way to enjoy your day. With 16 access points on the river, your trip can be a long day in the sun or a short escape from land. If you’re not feeling particularly motivated to paddle, many people opt to go river tubing. This is a great option if you want fun for the entire family. Make sure to look into the many shuttle services available from local outfitters. They make it a breeze to find your way back to your vehicle after your journey.

Keep in mind, Saugeen River Access Points 1 and 2 are not recommended due to the possibility of high water, heavy rapids, and obstacles. Most maps will begin at Access Point 3, with the stretch from Paisley (Access Point 9) to Southampton (Access Point 16) being the best area for beginners. Check out this resource for a breakdown of different routes you may want to take.

3) Bruce Trail on the Peninsula

Whether you’re looking for a quick hike or a week-long journey, the Bruce Trail on the Peninsula has something for you.

The Grotto

The Grotto is a popular tourist destination, made famous by its vibrant water and ornate limestone cave. This location offers so many ways to get moving; you can go for a swim, explore the cave, and enjoy the hike to reach the water. The hike is about 20-40 minutes each way, depending on your pace. The majority of the path is an easy hike, but it will get a bit more challenging with rocky terrain as you get closer to the water, so be sure to bring appropriate footwear. I highly recommend visiting in the off-season, since July-September tends to bring large crowds. Early spring and fall are my favorite times to visit since you can usually have some space to yourself.

Note: Because of the popularity during peak season, parking reservations are required between April 30 to October 31. Time slots are 4 hours long, so take this into consideration while hiking and exploring.

Hiking the Bruce Trail

If you’re a person who loves to navigate rocky trails and caves, or even if you just want to get to the beautiful lookout, the Bruce Trail on the Peninsula offers fantastic hiking for all. The area from High Dump to Tobermory is a personal favorite, where you will find high cliffs overlooking bright blue water.

During a 4 day hiking trip on the Bruce Trail, I was able to explore caves, cook dinner by the beach, and stop for breaks with some of the most beautiful views I’ve encountered. Even on overcast autumn days, the water was vibrant. If this sounds enticing to you, I highly encourage you to consider planning your own overnight trip.

Overnight backcountry camping isn’t for everyone, so you may want to consider taking a day trip! You can find some ideas here if you need help planning where you want to explore.

Tip: Check out the peninsula caches on your hike. They are a great way to explore the history of the trail. Note that these caches are physical locations, rather than human-made caches.

4) MacGregor Point Provincial Park

Take a 10 minute drive from Port Elgin to enjoy nature that is close to home. MacGregor Point Provincial Park has 20 kilometers of trails for hiking and biking, as well as 7 km of coast to enjoy swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. This park features many types of wildlife and rare plants to look for while enjoying a day in the outdoors.

If you’re looking for a quick day trip, Camper’s Beach is open to day-use visitors. This beach has access to a trail that leads to Sunset Point, which (you guessed it) is an amazing spot to watch a beautiful Saugeen Shores sunset. Adjacent to Camper’s Beach is a personal favorite feature, the dog friendly beach!

If one day isn’t enough, you can plan a trip to stay at one of 3 campgrounds with a total of 360 campsites. Macgregor Point offers camping for all, with campsites designed for those with disabilities. Other types of camping include yurt camping and group camping, with campsites for 9-36 people.

When the weather gets cold and snow starts to fall, this is a perfect spot to get moving outside. MacGregor Point has opportunities for snowshoeing, skating, cross country skiing, and winter camping.

5) Beaches

Bruce county is situated on Lake Huron, which makes for some beautiful beaches. What better way to get moving than to head to the water for some swimming, kayaking, beach volleyball, or one of the many other activities you can try (Spikeball anyone?).

Sauble Beach

Sauble Beach has been a popular tourist destination for years, what with its sandy beach, quaint shops, and vibrant water. In fact, it’s rated Canada’s #1 freshwater beach and is the second longest freshwater beach in the world at 7 miles long. The sand banks go relatively far out, which is perfect for a leisurely swim. Bonus: this beach is very sandy and easy on sensitive feet - no worrying about where to step

Port Elgin Main Beach

We’re lucky to call Port Elgin home, especially with the beautiful Main Beach. With 3 km of sandy beach, it’s the perfect spot to escape after a long day of work. Take a walk along the paved path, play beach volleyball, splash through the water, or jump off the pier. Check out The Beachside Cafe, located right on the beach, for a quick bite after a fun day of movement.

Southampton Main Beach

Looking for a calmer and quieter beach day? The Southampton Main Beach might be what you’re looking for. Featuring a boardwalk and 4km of sandy beach, it’s a perfect place for a peaceful day. Once in the water, the lake floor gets a little rocky and deepens quickly. Be sure to pack your water shoes! If you’re looking for a place to bring the kids, try the South Street Beach in Southampton. There are plenty of swing sets scattered across the beach and the sandy shallow water is perfect for young folks and adults alike.

Pet Friendly Beaches

Looking for beaches that are dog-friendly? Take a look at Lion’s Head Beach, MacGregor Point Provincial Park, Inverhuron Provincial Park, Kincardine Station Beach and Point Clark Beach

At Bruce Village Chiropractic, we believe that everyone should be able to enjoy movement.

Sometimes pain can be a barrier that makes movement feel like a burden rather than something to be excited about. We’re here to help if this sounds like you.

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Hopefully this blog post has provided you with some fun ideas for your next summer adventure. If you ever need some pain relief after a long day of enjoying movement, you know where to find us.